Water tower

A water tower is a large, elevated water reserve. Towers are usually metal, but are sometimes encased in stone or other material. They are usually&sup1 the tallest structure in small towns, and are often emblazoned with the town's name in large block letters. Common shaped include a cylinder with a conical "hat" on stilt-like legs, and a larger model that is an ovoid on a central cylindrical pillar (these have a rough similarity to the infamous cloud raised by an atomic bomb).

Water towers are elevated to provide water pressure, usually as a backup to the normal water system. They are often the source for the fire hydrants, or a backup water source should the hydrants freeze&sup2 or fail. The limestoneChicago Water Tower on that city's north side was the only structure in that area to survive the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.